A 32-year-old woman is now being charged after she allegedly sold drugs to an individual who overdosed moments later. The story out of St. Lucie, Florida, states that the woman left the man on the floor after he passed out in front of her. As a result, the St. Lucie County Sheriff has now placed an attempted murder charge against the woman.
The sheriff explained that the woman might not be facing charges for attempted murder if she had called for help when the man collapsed. Instead, she did nothing to aid him in what was likely an overdose on an opiate drug called fentanyl.
After recovering, the victim ID’d the woman as the seller. She allegedly told the sheriff’s office that she gave the man pure fentanyl and that she admitted to leaving him on the ground while he was unconscious.
Since June, a new law has made it possible for the state to prosecute drug dealers who sell drugs to those who later overdose and die on fentanyl. The law also increased penalties for the distribution and sale of the drug, which is part of a growing opioid epidemic across the country.
After arresting the woman, deputies reported finding a baggie of mixed heroin and fentanyl in her possession. As a result, she faces additional charges including two counts for tampering with or destroying evidence, three counts for the possession of drug paraphernalia, two counts for bringing contraband into a detention facility and four counts for possessing a controlled substance without an appropriate prescription.
Drug charges like this one are unusual, and with no history of trying individuals for attempted murder, people who find themselves in this situation may have a good chance to defend themselves. If you’re one of these people, your attorney can help you develop a strong defense to protect yourself.